The location of the venue will be sent to ticket holders by email 36 hours before the performance.
The secret venue will be located downtown Columbus with parking nearby.
Ticket sales for each performance will close 12-hours before the show begins.
Friday, April 19, 2024 │7:30pm SOLD OUT!
Saturday, April 20, 2024 │7:30pm SOLD OUT!
Sunday, April 21, 2024│2:00pm SOLD OUT!
Thursday, April 25, 2024 │7:30pm SOLD OUT!
Saturday, April 27, 2024 │7:30pm SOLD OUT!
Sunday, April 28, 2024 │2:00pm SOLD OUT!
Due to location, you must be 18+ to attend this production.
This thrilling, immersive performance will be an experience both opera-lovers and operacurious will never forget. Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute, transports audiences to a fantastical world of dragons, princesses, trials and mysteries. Good and evil battle, and truth and resolution are elusive. The Temple will feature a new, English-language libretto updating the opera’s story and characters make it inclusive and accessible to contemporary audiences. This production is directed by Allegra Libonati and arranged by Que Jones.
This production will be performed in English with English supertitles.
Please note: this production contains loud noises and strobe lights.
#TempleOC
Made possible by funding from
What’s Interesting About This Opera…
- Mozart’s The Magic Flute was originally written to be performed in bars! OC is taking it back to its original intent
- This 90-minute, immersive world premiere is based on Mozart’s final opera, The Magic Flute.
- This opera was conceived by Julia Noulin-Mérat, Allegra Libonati and Que Jones, Columbus artist.
- This performance will be at an secret downtown location! The location of the venue will be sent to ticket holders by email 36 hours before the performance. The secret venue will be located downtown Columbus with parking nearby
Curious about what your seats will look like?
Curious about what The Temple menu is?
Costume Sketches for A Magic Flute Experience: The Temple
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Should I Wear?
There is no dress code for the opera! Some patrons choose to dress for a special occasion and others prefer to keep it casual.
Where Should I Park?
There is a parking lot and street parking near the venue.
When Should I Arrive?
Plan on arriving about 30-40 minutes early. This gives you plenty of time to park, get your tickets from will call if you need to and find your seats without feeling rushed. Latecomers are seated (or stand) in the rear of the theatre until ushers take them to their seats at an appropriate point in the production.
CAST
Praised for his “finely focused and well-mannered” voice (Dallas Morning News), tenor Brian Wallin is a “gifted tenor…who took the stage with flair and commitment” (Opera Today). The 2023/24 season brings returns to Arizona Opera (Conte Almaviva, Il barbiere di Siviglia) and Annapolis Opera (Tamino, Die Zauberflöte; Nemorino, L’elisir d’amore), as well as debuts with Permian Basin Opera (Younger Thompson, Glory Denied) and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (Carmina Burana). Previous appearances include Arizona Opera (Brighella, Ariadne auf Naxos), Annapolis Opera (Basilio/Don Curzio, Le nozze di Figaro), Pacific Opera Project (Frederic, The Pirates of Penzance), Opera Baltimore (L’Abate di Chazeuil, Adriana Lecouvreur), An Opera Theatre “AOT” (Male Chorus, The Rape of Lucretia), and Opéra de Montréal, with whom he was proud to debut as Tamino in The Magic Flute. In recent seasons, he has performed roles with Des Moines Metro Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Saratoga, Palm Beach Opera, Austin Opera, and Minnesota Opera. Following the success of his debut with The Glimmerglass Festival as Count Almaviva (The Ghosts of Versailles), he reprised the role with Château de Versailles Spectacles. He has enjoyed additional performances in France with Opéra National de Bordeaux and Théâtre du Capitole.Brian Wallin
Chinese-American soprano Bizhou Chang is quickly becoming known for her warmth of tone and thrilling interpretations of opera’s most beloved roles. This season, she returns to Opera Columbus, singing Pamina in the world premiere of The Temple: A Magic Flute Experience—an immersive production based on Mozart’s The Magic Flute—and she appears as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte with Pensacola Opera. In the 2022-23 season, Ms. Chang performed Mimì in La bohème with Pensacola Opera and made her company debuts as Liù in Turandot with Opera Southwest and Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro with Knoxville Opera. She returned to Guerilla Opera for the concert presentation and theatrical workshop of Emily Koh’s Her: Alive|un|dead, and she appeared as a featured soloist in Pensacola Opera’s 40th anniversary gala concert Forty Forward, along with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. During the 2021-22 season, Ms. Chang made her role debut as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with Pensacola Opera, performed the role of Maria in the world premiere of Island of Hope, Island of Tears by Gabriele Vanoni with Guerilla Opera, and appeared as Violetta in an immersive production of La Traviata with Opera Columbus and Out of the Box Opera. During the Covid-19 impacted 2020-21 season, Ms. Chang made her art film debut as Mimì in an innovative film version of La bohème directed by Laine Rettmer with More than Musical (Hong Kong), a co-production of Opera Omaha, Tri-Cities Opera, and Opera Columbus. She also performed Mimì in a new production of La bohème with Opera Columbus and returned to Pensacola Opera as Micaëla in Carmen. American operatic baritone Eric McKeever has won consistent praise for his voice of “power and brilliance” (Chicago Tribune) and “considerable flexibility and a communicative presence enhanced by expressive, crystalline diction.” (Opera News) Eric’s 2022-2023 season includes a season of debuts. First, he joins the Delaware Symphony Orchestra in their “Opening Night at the Grand” gala, makes his role debut as Don Alfonso in Così Fan Tutte at Opera Delaware where he serves as an Artist-in-Residence/Artistic Ambassador, sings Falke in Act II of Die Fledermaus with Maryland Opera in their “Ritorna Vincitor” concert, makes house and role debuts with On Site Opera as the title role in Der Kaiser von Atlantis and William Grant Still in Paul Moravec’s Sanctuary Road with the Penn Square Music Festival. And later in the season, he debuts Monterone in Rigoletto with Opera Columbus. During the 2021-22 season, he performed the title role in Don Giovanni in his return to Indianapolis Opera, made his debut with Teatro Grattacielo as the Banditore in Zandonai’s rarely-heard Giulietta e Romeo, covered the role of Monforte in New Amsterdam Opera’s I Vespri Siciliani, made his recital debut in Opera Delaware’s “Sunday Spotlight” Series, covered the title role in On Site Opera’s production of Gianni Schicchi, and made his debut with Washington DC’s Urban Arias as Papa-Daddy in the world-premiere of Why I live at the P.O. During the 2020-2021 season he recorded Kamala Sankaram’s Looking at You, available on the Bright Shiny Things label and recorded several roles for Experiments in Opera’s Aqua Net and Funyuns podcast opera. Mr. McKeever also recorded Dandini for Opera on Tap’s digital version of La Cenerentola, performed live in Salt Marsh Opera’s outdoor “Music at the Lighthouse” concert, and performed in Little Opera Theatre of New York livestream of “Zemlinsky’s Zimmer.” Mr. McKeever returned to live performances as Marcello in a new production of La bohème with Opera Columbus and performed outdoor concerts with Opera Delaware and Baltimore Concert Opera. During the 2019-2020 season, Eric received critical acclaim as Charlie in the world premiere of Kamala Sankaram’s Looking at You with HERE Arts in New York, joined Opera Columbus in “Twisted 3”, a collaboration with the Columbus Symphony and Ballet Met, made his role debut as Tonio in Pagalicci in a return to Salt Marsh Opera, and performed in Baltimore Concert Opera’s “Thirsty Thursday” Concert Series. Eric was scheduled to debut the title role in Don Giovanni with Indianapolis Opera, the title role in Rigoletto with Mill City Summer Opera and make his Anchorage Festival of Music debut in Dave Brubeck’s The Gates of Justice, but those engagements were cancelled due to COVID-19. Recent performances include Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Opera Columbus, David in L’amico Fritz with Baltimore Concert Opera, Germont in La traviata with Pacific Opera Project, Malatesta in Don Pasquale with Anchorage Opera, the Speaker in The Magic Flute with Florentine Opera, and Frank in Die Fledermaus with Nashville Opera, Finger Lakes Opera, Florentine Opera, and Baltimore Concert Opera. On the concert stage he has appeared as a soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth with the New Albany Symphony, performed Bernstein’s Songfest with Skidmore College, and made his debut with the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra in Dave Brubeck’s The Gates of Justice.Bizhou Chang
Eric McKeever
Erica Gabriel received her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Oakwood University. Her training also includes a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She has performed with the Chicago Symphony orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Savannah Philharmonic, and the Jackson Symphony. She was cast in Ravinia’s production of Bernstein’s Mass under the baton of Marin Alsop, which Aired on the PBS Television Network as a part of their “Great Performances” series. She has also toured with the renowned American Spiritual Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Everett McCorvey. Her competition credits and awards include The Alma Blackmon Scholarship Award, Winner of Classical Singer Regional University Competition, winner of the Hartford Memorial Scholarship Competition, Second place winner of the Alltech Scholarship competition, and the 2018 Gold Medal winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition.Erica Gabriel
Described by Theater Mania as a performer who is “worth the price of admission alone” (Nutcracker Rouge-Company XIV), and by Opera News as giving the “best all-around performance” (Handel’s Ariodante – The Princeton Festival), soprano Marcy Richardson has brought the art of marrying aerial arts, pole dancing, and burlesque with live classical singing to opera and entertainment companies worldwide. On the NYC nightlife scene, she has performed with Company XIV, Duane Park, the Bartschland Follies with Susanne Bartsch at the Mckittrick Hotel and Sony Hall, Speakeasy Times Square at Bond 45, the People’s Ball at the Brooklyn Public Library, the Great Gatsby Party at Capitale with Astarte Creative, and The Rose Room at the Triad Theater. Equally at home on the operatic and concert stage, she has performed as a soloist in many of New York’s most acclaimed concert halls, including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. She took home the 2018 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Female Performance in an opera for her acrobatic aerial and vocal portrayal of Amour in Gluck’s Orphée with Against the Grain Theater, a co-production with Opera Columbus. She will be joining Opera Columbus once again in the role of Papagena in their newest production of The Magic Flute in April 2024. This Summer, she is in New York performing with Duane Park, Susanne Bartsch, new venues such as Red Pavilion in Bushwick, and at various private events. She is based in both London and New York when she is not on the road or at sea, and has a private pole studio in Brooklyn for both live and virtual teaching and training. She recently served as aerial director/choreographer and acrobatic trainer for Kaleidoscope Entertainment and Celebrity Cruises, where she helped create and premiere three shows onboard the new Beyond before it’s maiden voyage from Saint Nazaire, France. This past year, she has been a guest entertainer multiple times on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, performing her signature singing aerial acts in lyra and aerial pole. She also recently jumped into a general aerialist/ensemble track with two days notice for the premiere of Persephone on Resilient Lady out of Athens due to a last minute emergency until they were able to find a long term replacement. Subsequently, she will be joining the cast of Persephone once again in Greece and Croatia, but this time as aerial and circus director for the new cast members embarking in September. She is also serving as Aerial/Circus director and creating a track in a brand new show premiering on Virgin’s fourth ship, “Brilliant Lady” which will make its maiden voyage next year. While furloughed, she could be seen hanging in a hoop from fire escapes in both her backyard and over the street at Duane Park for “outdoor dining with ambient street performance” in sub zero temps without batting an eyelash. With almost 13 years of pole and aerial training under her belt, she got her start in the air as a competitive pole dancer, and is the 2014 Pole Sport Organization National Level 4 Championship winner. She also recently appeared as Star in the movie Hustlers and has filmed featured extra pole work for the HBO series Betty as well as featured burlesque background on Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Originally from Grosse Pointe, MI and a BM/MM graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Ms. Richardson’s classical music career highlights include soloist in Handel’s Samson under Nicholas McGegan with American Classical Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Poppea in Handel’s Agrippina with Operamission, Diana and Giove as Diana (La Calisto) with Vertical Player Repertory, Dalinda (Ariodante) with the Princeton Festival, Monica (The Medium) with St. Petersburg Opera, Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance) and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), with Orlando Opera, Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore) with Baltimore Opera, Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s C Minor Mass, at Galway Cathedral in Ireland, and Exsultate, Jubilate with both the Princeton Symphony and Lyrique-en-Mer in Belle-Isle, France. As an apprentice artist, Ms. Richardson has trained and performed with Central City Opera, Baltimore Opera, Orlando Opera, and Brevard Music Center. Ms. Richardson has won various awards and grants from the Kurt Weill Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation, Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Awards, Metropolitan Opera National Council, Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, Heida Hermanns International Voice Competition, and Opera Birmingham’s Cassell Stewart Vocal Competition. A champion of new music, she has sung many roles in contemporary opera and oratorio, including So Yeon in John Eaton’s microtonal opera, Re-Routed, with the Pocket Opera Players at Symphony Space in NYC, the highest soprano soloist in Sven David Sandström’s High Mass with VocalEssence in Minneapolis under Philip Brunelle, Fiordiligi in the premiere of Jonathan Dawe’s Cosi Faran Tutti at Columbia University’s Italian Arts Center, and the title role in a staged reading of Louis Karchin’s Jane Eyre with Center for Contemporary Opera. Ms. Richardson has also been a featured performer with the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS Next,) American Composer’s Alliance Summer Festival, Opera on Tap, American Opera Projects, and the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland as a member of the Contemporary Music Festival Academy under Pierre Boulez. She has appeared in many of New York City’s premiere entertainment spots for variety shows and burlesque outside of her regular venues, including Blunderland at House of Yes, The Slipper Room, Mac’s Powderkiss Cabaret hosted by Alan Cumming at Sony Hall, Schtick-a-pole-in-it and the Hot Jazz Festival with Shanghai Mermaid at DROM, Second Tuesdays at Sid’s at Sid Gold’s Request Room, Zavo NYC, Secret Circus at Secret Loft NYC, the Arianna Project with Music Nuova at Le Poisson Rouge, Spiegelworld at St. Anne’s Warehouse, Lavo Nightclub, Dances of Vice at Capitale, Cirque Central Entertainment, and The Curiosity Cabinet at Dixon Place. Mezzo-soprano Hilary Ginther continues her trajectory as a bravura artist in several branches of the classical European repertoire. In the summer of 2022, she headlined Opera Omaha’s Opera Outdoors concert with major excerpts from the roles of Santuzza (Cavalleria rusticana) and Éboli (Don Carlos). During her all-Italian 2022-2023 season, she makes an international role debut as Elisabetta (Donizetti’s Queen Elizabeth I) in Maria Stuarda for her return to Musica Viva Hong Kong, a rare Puccinian venture as Suor Angelica’s La maestra delle novizie for her return to Opera Omaha, her Opera Columbus debut as Maddalena in Rigoletto, and her Central City Opera debut as Emilia in the rarely performed Rossini Otello. Further recent Italian roles include Adalgisa (Norma), in which she made her internationally broadcast Asian debut with Musica Viva Hong Kong, and Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia) which she debuted at Florida Grand Opera and has since reprised with Fargo Moorhead Opera and Opera on the James. In the French repertoire, Ms. Ginther has earned success both as the familiar Carmen as well as Anne Boleyn in the rare Saint-Saëns grand opera Henry VIII, with which she made her Odyssey Opera debut. Additionally, her affinity for Tchaikovsky has been confirmed by her performances as Olga in Opera Omaha’s Eugene Onegin and the title role of New Orleans Opera’s Joan of Arc (The Maid of Orléans). Ms. Ginther’s experience in contemporary American works includes her Philadelphia Orchestra debut as a featured soloist in Bernstein’s MASS under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a performance recorded and released by Deutsche Grammophon, her New York City Opera debut as Lureen in the North American premiere of Brokeback Mountain, her Los Angeles Opera debut in a double bill by Gordon Getty, Usher House & The Canterville Ghost, the comical Lady Meresvale in the New York premiere of Floyd’s Prince of Players, and the world premiere of Musto’s The Inspector with Wolf Trap Opera.Marcy Richardson
Hilary Ginther
On the concert stage, Nadia has been the soprano soloist in Mozart’s Laudate Dominum (cancelled due to Covid-19), Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Haydn’s Harmoniemesse, Handel’s The Messiah with Trinity Seminary at Capital University, and as The Angel in Lauda per la Natività with Gulfshore Opera. She performed Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasilieras no. 5 aria for the 50th anniversary concert for The Music Federation of Greater Naples in 2020 and has recorded various works by composer Andrew Seligson. Nadia was also a featured performer at the Columbus Italian Festival in 2023. Nadia completed her Master’s in Vocal Performance at the Ohio State University, where she also received a Certificate in Singing Health Specialization. She completed her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance at Florida State University with two minors in French and Italian language.Nadia Marshall
Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Hannah Marie Bullock is a new and emerging artist making her footprint in the opera world. She was most recently seen in her debut performance of Micaela (Carmen) in a co-production between Camerata Bardi and Teatro Grattacielo in Heraklion, Crete. Further international engagements include a young artist position with the inaugural Opera for Peace Academy in Rome, Italy in Summer 2022. In Summer 2021 Ms. Bullock had the pleasure of performing Contessa Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro) with the International Summer Opera Festival of Morelia. In addition to a budding international career, Ms. Bullock is frequently engaged at home. Recent performances with Opera Columbus include Countess Ceprano in the Spring 2023 production of Rigoletto and Moremi in the 2022 production of Vanqui. Other recent engagements include Bess (Porgy and Bess), with Opera Project Columbus. Ms. Bullock is a graduate of Capital University with Bachelor of Music in Music Technology and of Ohio University with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. In addition to performing, Ms. Bullock serves as the Director of Operations for Graves Piano Company in Columbus. She thoroughly enjoys working with the Columbus community to promote local music and artists. Anabella Petronsi, is a 3rd year DMA student in Voice Performance with the Singing Health Specialization at OSU under the tutelage of Dr. Blosser, where she serves as a Graduate Teaching Associate. She graduated from the National University of Arts in Argentina with a BM in Voice Performance and from The Ohio State University with an MA in Music Education. She has sung L’ Enfant (Ravel), Barbarina (Mozart), Dame 2 (Mozart), Serpetta (Mozart), Papagena (Mozart), Despina (Mozart), Poesie (Charpentier), Berenice (Rossini), Mrs. Webster (Candey), Mirror 1 (Albinarrate), Mariquita Sanchez (Scher), and Heraldo (Lambertini), Sorceress (Purcell), Giovanna (Verdi). She worked as an Artistic Administrator, Director of Operations and Special Projects and Events for the Department of Musical Arts at the National University of Arts in Argentina. She also sang with Enhorabuena Company, Ensemble Tempus, and Opera of Columbus. She is a member of the Columbus Symphony Choir. Hannah Bullock
Anabella Petronsi
ACT + ATMOSPHERE PERFORMERS
Maria Brown is a second generation circus performer. She started work in the professional world of circus at the age of seven. She worked in her family performance group, Duokosh, in circuses all over the world, including Salto Natale in Switzerland, Winter Garden in Germany and was a resident guest artist on multiple International Cruise Lines for production companies such as Cirque Dreams. She is the winner of multiple awards in circus festivals for her aerial duo act with her mother, Nadzda Andrianova, as well.. She learned how to perform glass balancing acts on the edge of a sword when she was 12 years old and has been perfecting them since, including her signature act where she balances glasses while in a spinning floor lyra. She lives in Las Vegas where she can be seen performing weekly as a resident artist at Lost Spirits Distillery.Maria Brown
SK Kim is a versatile performer with a passion for captivating audiences through dynamic displays of artistry. With a diverse background spanning colorguard, breakdance, and circus arts, SK has carved a niche as a multifaceted entertainer. SK was a recipient of the 2016 bronze medal at Winterguard International with Onyx Colorguard. In the past, SK expanded their performance career by performing for The Amazing Giants and JMMD Entertainment. They gained experience in fire breathing, fire eating, acroyoga, sway pole, pole dance, lyra-pole, flow arts, and contortion. SK is currently a private instructor at Aerotique Columbus for flying pole/aerial pole. SK is also a member of the fire performance troupe, Pyrosirens.Alanna Gibson-Rex
SK Kim
Mallory LaBro
MK Lebeaux is a clown of few words, lesser logic, and isn’t sure if you’re laughing with him or at him. A silent, eccentric variety act that speaks for itself using clowning, magic, and mime. MK Lebeaux was named a Top 10 Artistic Performer in Columbus for 2023 (Columbus Underground) and was the recipient of the Individual Artist Grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council in 2024. MK Lebeaux’s unique physical comedy has been featured everywhere from television to festivals, in the street, at burlesque houses, on the stage, and will be appearing this summer in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square District performing their solo show, Goes Without Saying. MK Lebeaux is also involved in the local community and has been the producer for the variety show Two Dollar Soup, hosted at local independent book publisher Two Dollar Radio HQ, since July 2022. This monthly event showcases the best and upcoming variety acts and doubles as a food drive for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.MK Lebeaux
CREATIVES
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Emanuel Schikaneder
I am a freelance director for theater, opera, and circus. As a lover of music, magic, dance, masks and puppets, my work often incorporates these theatrical elements. I have directed productions nationally and internationally and am grateful for the inspired collaborations I’ve experienced with incomparable artists around the world. My work comes in many shapes and sizes – including Shakespeare, plays, musicals, TYA, opera, concerts, variety shows, opera, and immersive events. While I work in many genres, I am always striving unearth a universal collective experience. As the Resident Director/ Artistic Associate at the American Repertory Theater for 9 years I contributed to the direction and development of countless productions including the immersive phenomenon Sleep No More, Tony Award Winning Broadway Revival of Pippin, Prometheus Bound with Serj Tankien (System of a Down), Steven Sater, and Amnesty International, The Tempest with Teller, Tom Waits, and Piobolus, and In the Body of the World with V (formerly knowns as Eve Ensler). Broadway Credits include Tony Award Winning Broadway revival of Hair (Associate Director). My most recent Shakespeare production, Romeo and Juliet, played in the Boston Common for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. The production was met with excellent reviews and played for audiences of up to 8,000 people per night. Other loved Shakespeare productions include Julius Caesar at the Old Globe, San Diego and King Lear at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. In addition, I directed seven beloved seasons of outdoor Shakespeare productions at the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. I have directed 10 seasons of musicals including My Fair Lady, South Pacific (9 Broadway World Nominations), Hairspray (10 Broadway World Nominations), Legally Blonde (12 Broadway World Nominations). Currently I have multiple new musicals in varying phases of development. Latest immersive projects include Usher’s Las Vegas Residency concert Preshow Backstory Experience currently playing at The Coliseum, Las Vegas. Previously, Peter Pan’s Neverland, premiered in Beijing, China in a 50,000 sq foot warehouse where families were able to physically adventure through Neverland itself. I started the children’s theater program at the American Repertory Theater where I developed, taught, and managed theater classes for ages 4-12, as well as devised and directed original family productions for the A.R.T. season. Shows include The Snow Queen, which went on to be produced in multiple venues across the country, Hansel and Gretel, The Light Princess, which transferred to the New Victory Theater, NYC, and The Pirate Princess, a new musical based on Twelfth Night. I fell in love with opera directing Stravinsky’s The Rakes Progress for the Boston Lyric Opera at the Cutler Magestic Theater. A mash-up of opera, dance theater and magic, the opera took a bold new angle on the opera and was met with great reviews. Other productions include Opera Omaha’s production of Verdi’s Falstaff and Gorilla Opera’s premiere of Troubled Waters. As an AD, I traveled internationally with Death and the Powers, A Robot Opera, convinced by the MIT Media Lab and composed by Tod Machover. Favorite plays directed include Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Big Love, The Illusion, Life’s A Dream, The Island. I am currently the director for the hit variety show Opium produced by Spiegelworld running nightly at the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas. Prior to the pandemic I directed my first bit top circus, Celestia at the Strat Hotel and Casino, under the guidance of producer Brian Burke (Creative Director for America’s Got Talent/Artistic Director for Franco Dragone) which became winner of Best New Show and Best acrobatic Show, Best of Las Vegas Awards 2019. As Associate Director to Diane Paulus: Death and the Powers a Robot’s Opera (Dallas Opera Theater, Chicago Opera Theater, A.R.T. Monaco Opera) Crossing: A New American Opera (Brooklyn Acadamy of Muisc, A.R.T.) Prometheus Bound: A Dammed God in Chains (A.R.T.) In the Body of the World by Eve Ensler (A.R.T.) 9 Years as Resident Director for The Donkey Show (Adrian Arscht Center, Miami, A.R.T.) As Associate Director to Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner: The Tempest (A.R.T., The Smith Center, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Southcoast Repertory Theater) I guest teach classes and workshops at Harvard University, MIT, Wayne State University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Westfield State University. I am a member of Tut’Zanni Commedia Company, a student at the Academia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy, and graduate of Tisch School of the Arts, NYU (BFA) and Carnegie Mellon University (MFA). On the Horizon I am looking forward to working at Northcoast Repertory Theatre where I will remount a previously sold-out production of Always Patsy Cline for the holidays.Allegra Libonati
Brandon Shaw McKnight passionately believes that art has the power to inspire, reflect, educate, and empower. Well-versed in multiple genres of the performing arts, they most recently served as the assistant director for Le Nozze di Figaro, Annapolis Opera and Dreamgirls, Morgan State University. In 2019, Shaw McKnight produced and directed a staged version of Handel’s Messiah, which they have since performed annually. An exceptional artist who can be found on and behind the stage, Shaw McKnight has been a part of productions on Broadway, Jazz at Lincoln Center with Teatro Nuovo, The Kennedy Center, Toledo Opera, Annapolis Opera, Opera Baltimore and in Italy. They are often seen performing in his hometown of Baltimore, MD. In addition to joining Opera Columbus as the Crane Directing Fellow, Shaw McKnight is currently a directing resident artist with Opera North.Que Jones
Brandon Shaw McKnight
Shaw McKnight has been a young artist with programs such as La Musica Lirica, New York City Lyric Opera Theatre, and Utopia Arts. Their love of opera began as a student at Morgan State University.
Julia Noulin-Mérat has been the General Director + CEO of Opera Columbus for the past 4 seasons. With OC, Noulin-Mérat is redefining the very concept of regional opera, with original productions that celebrate emerging talent, fresh perspectives, and modern technology, engaging a new, diverse audience. Julia was named the “2024 Nonprofit Executive of the Year” at the Medical Mutual Pillar Awards. Previously, Noulin-Mérat was for 8 years the Associate Producer at Boston Lyric Opera and was the co-Artistic Director of Guerilla Opera having begun her tenure as their Producer + Director of Production for 11 years. She is the creative director for Hong Kong-based More Than Musical. In addition, Noulin-Mérat has worked on over 400 opera, theater, and television productions, including 26 new operas, 22 new plays. Other projects include a TEDx talk on site-specific opera productions, Neverland (China Broadway): a $20 million, 50,000 square immersive theater piece in Beijing, a PPE friendly outdoor Fall Festival (Atlanta Opera), an immersive Pagliacci (Boston Lyric Opera) production complete with fairgrounds inside an ice rink and Playground (Opera Omaha) a National touring operatic sound sculpture. She has served on the panel for OPERA America adjudicating the Tobin Director- Designer showcase and is actively involved in the Women’s Opera Network, first as a mentee (General Director distinction) and now this year as a mentor. Noulin-Mérat is a part of the OA Leadership Intensive cohort and currently serves on the OPERA America Board of Directors. With over 20 years of experience in the performing arts industry and a big advocate for cultural equity in opera, she is a graduate of Boston University with a Masters in Business Arts Administration, an MFA in Set Design, a Diversity Inclusion certificate from ESSEC Business School, a social media marketing specialization from Northwestern University, a Fundraising Development Specialization from UC Davis, a Finance & Leadership certification from Harvard Business School. Her work has been featured in Opera News, LiveDesign, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal to name a few.Julia Noulin-Mérat
Neil is a graduate of Boston University with an MFA in Costume Production, and additionally holds a Bachelors degree in History from Providence College. Fortin is returning to Opera Columbus after designing Tosca in December of 2021. He has most recently designed Opera Omaha’s production of Eugene Onegin in April of 2022 and has constructed historical millinery for a variety of West end Shows in England as well as the BBC’s Sanditon. As an ongoing project Fortin has collaborated with his husband and formed Thomas Fortin Menswear an English silk accessories company. Fortin has also worked with the American Repertory Theater, the Huntington Theater Company, The Boston Conservatory Pegasus Early Music Festival, Commonwealth Shakespeare, Actors Shakespeare Project, The Walnut Hill School, and the Metro Stage Company. Neil Fortin
Alanna Gibson-Rex
Original Concept Idea By: Julia Noulin-Mérat
And the fun doesn’t stop there…
SALON: ALL THINGS FABULOUS WITH QUE JONES
March 25 at 6PM | Zoom | FREE
Step into the world of opera with a flair for fashion in “All Things Fabulous with Que Jones.” In this engaging SALON, we’ll explore the intersection of opera, fashion, and personal style, guided by the fabulous Que Jones.
Drawing inspiration from Mozart’s iconic opera “The Magic Flute,” we’ll delve into the idea of audience participation as a vital part of the opera experience. Learn how to make a statement with your attire, expressing your unique personality and style while respecting the occasion.
Que Jones will share insights on dressing for opera, whether you’re on stage, in the audience, or attending a glamorous after-party. Discover how to choose outfits that are both sophisticated and daring, perfect for those special occasions where you want to stand out from the crowd. Gain a deeper understanding of how opera costumes & hair have reflected cultural trends and societal norms over the centuries, and how you can incorporate elements of opera fashion into your own wardrobe.
Whether you’re a seasoned opera-goer or a newcomer to the art form, “All Things Fabulous with Que Jones” offers a fresh perspective on opera and fashion, inviting you to embrace your inner diva and make every opera night a truly stylish affair.
COFFEE WITH THE CREATIVES OF A MAGIC FLUTE EXPERIENCE: THE TEMPLE
April 3 at 12PM | Ohio Theatre, Rehearsal Studio 4 | FREE EVENT
Join us in-person for a FREE Q&A with the creatives of Opera Columbus’ A Magic Flute Experience: The Temple. They will share all of the backstage “tea” and insider knowledge while we enjoy coffee and sweets.
Director, Allegra Libonati
Music Director, Que Jones
Costume Designer, Neil Fortin
The People’s Circus, Alanna Gibson-Rex
Papageno, Eric McKeever
Coffee with the Creatives is supported by Black Kahawa Coffee and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Coffee Art by Mary Cecil.